eCommerce

eCommerce, digital commerce, online retail tips, insights, and studies.

Gen AI eCommerce Content Sucks

Most Gen AI eCommerce Content Sucks (and Brands are Paying For It)

Remember that cringe-worthy ad where a “diverse” group of models all had six fingers, or the product shot featuring a bizarrely distorted hand clutching an otherwise beautiful watch? Or perhaps you’ve scrolled past an eCommerce DTC site where every single product description felt like it was churned out by a robot on a caffeine overdose, full of repetitive phrases and generic platitudes.

You’d think these are just minor hiccups; but they’re glaring examples of generative AI gone wrong, particularly for direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands aiming for authenticity and connection. In the wild west of AI integration, many brands are jumping on the bandwagon without truly understanding the reins. This isn’t about AI being inherently “bad”; it’s about using it badly. No brands, big or small, are immune to this, especially in the current hype cycle.

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By David Tong, ago

Generative AI Powering Ecommerce Growth in Southeast Asia’s Marketplaces

Ecommerce in Southeast Asia is booming, with marketplaces like Shopee, Lazada, and Amazon leading the charge. But beyond flashy AI-generated images or chatbots, I’ve noticed that Generative AI’s subtle but rapid insertion in ecommerce operations on the major marketplaces here in Southeast Asia to get efficient, profitable, and customer-friendly through automation.

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By David Tong, ago

Entering the China eCommerce Market – A Guide for the Uninitiated

You’ve been assigned the exciting task of expanding into China’s massive eCommerce market, congratulations! Soon after, you realize China presents unique challenges and opportunities compared to Western markets dominated by Amazon. The distinct characteristics of China’s eCommerce landscape and unique consumer demands require strategies to navigate this dynamic market successfully. Read more

By David Tong, ago

Opinion: AI’s Influence on eCommerce Search Results and How CPG Brands Content Strategy Needs to Adapt

As AI technology continues to evolve, it brings about three significant changes that will reshape search results on eCommerce marketplaces and, consequently, force CPG brands to rethink future digital shelf content strategies. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has undeniably revolutionized the way we interact with technology, and its impact on eCommerce search Read more

By David Tong, ago

The Need for NOW. How Modern Online Shopping Demands Affect Delivery Workers

Shopping Used to Be an Event

As consumers, we’re always conditioned to consume through a number of signals from companies. After all, without consumerism, much of our economy won’t exist and most of us probably won’t have a job.

Back in the olden days, consumerism tends to focus on thematic periods that justify spending.

This could be the classic holiday season, birthdays, graduation, weddings, and similar peaks spread throughout the entire year. This event-based relationship with shopping tends to make us think more carefully about what we buy, especially during cash/cheque-dependent days.

However, today’s shopping malls and commercial areas blanket every corner in most metropolises, and the prevalence of credit-based shopping made impulse purchases easier than ever. Efficiencies in production and globalization also contributed to most non-essential goods being more accessible to purchase than ever.

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By David Tong, ago